And the Chilean, whose rivalry with Mourinho dates back to their days in Spain, insisted he will not continue the public argument.

He said: “I just answered once to Mourinho because if you remain always in silence, people may agree with those things. He started talking about referees and financial fair play. I don’t think it is the way. I will not continue every week talking about things that for me are not an important level.”

Pellegrini also believes Mourinho’s rhetoric is a distraction from events on the pitch, which is why he prefers to ignore whatever his successor at Real Madrid says.

He added: “I don’t respond to things Mourinho says every week because he will continue every week to try talking about things that are not [related to] football.”